Case study on four patterns of knowledge conversion: behavioural competency and social learning theory perspectives

Abstract

Knowledge creation has been attracting academic attention for over 15 years, but existing theories are insufficient for explaining the output of knowledge conversion and seldom explore behavioural development of the employees after knowledge conversion. This study uses social learning theory to explore the social practice in the organization, so as to achieve knowledge conversion and the creation of behavioural competency. Cases from four different industries were chosen to analyse activities of different professional groups in the process of training new entrants. Research results show that interactions and practices in a combination of multiple situations were needed to generate the required behavioural competency of their employees. Furthermore, the Social Learning-Based Knowledge Conversion Model (SL-KCM) explains more clearly the relations between knowledge conversion and behavioural development. SL-KCM complements existing theoretical explanations of knowledge conversion outcome and is applicable to developing training models with enhanced behavioural effects.

Keywords:

• knowledge conversion
• social practice
• social learning
• behavioural competency
• organization learning

In the online version originally published 25th August 2014 the first author’s name was misspelled. This has been corrected in this final version.

In the online version originally published 25th August 2014 the first author’s name was misspelled. This has been corrected in this final version.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Hsipeng Lu

About the authors

Hsipeng Lu is now working as Distinguished Professor in Department of Information Management, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology. He had been the Dean in School of Management. His research covers topics related to e-commerce, marketing management, knowledge management, customer relationship management and strategic management.

Hsin-I Lee is currently a doctoral student of Graduate Institute of Management – NTUST School of Management. His research is focused on knowledge management and change management. He also approved by Ministry of Economic Affairs to diagnosis and introduce KM consulting to organizations in government, health care, television and petrochemical manufacture industries over 5 years.